Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alleged Wednesday that the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was orchestrated by the United States and Israel.
In a televised speech reported by Iranian state media, Khamenei claimed that a neighboring country also played a role in Assad’s ousting. While he did not name the country, his remarks appeared to point to Turkey, a supporter of anti-Assad rebel factions.
Assad’s fall is widely seen as a setback for the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance,” a political and military alliance opposing U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East.
“What happened in Syria was mainly planned in the command rooms of America and Israel. We have evidence of this. A neighboring government of Syria was also involved,” Khamenei said, adding that the neighbor had a “clear role and continues to do so.”
Turkey, a NATO member, controls parts of northern Syria after conducting cross-border operations against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia. Since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Turkey has been a prominent supporter of opposition groups seeking to topple Assad.
Iran invested billions of dollars and deployed its Revolutionary Guards to back Assad during the war, working to keep its key ally in power.
Post-Assad Relations
Following Assad’s overthrow, Iran expressed optimism about future relations with Damascus, emphasizing a “far-sighted and wise approach” between the two nations. Iranian officials called for the establishment of an inclusive government representing all segments of Syrian society.
Khamenei also asserted that the Iran-led alliance would grow stronger despite regional challenges. “The more pressure you exert, the stronger the resistance becomes. The more crimes you commit, the more determined it becomes. The more you fight against it, the more it expands,” he said.
“Iran is strong and powerful—and will become even stronger,” Khamenei concluded.
